Port Tampa Bay Weekly Web Update
December 19, 2025
2025 State of the Port
The 2025 State of the Port publication is now available. This year’s report highlights a record-breaking year across sectors and recaps key milestones achieved during FY 2025.
The report provides a comprehensive look at Port Tampa Bay’s operational performance, strategic investments, and progress toward long-term goals that support regional economic growth, supply chain reliability, and job creation.
Read the full report here.
Port Tampa Bay Earns National Weather Service StormReady® Recognition
As the 2025 hurricane season comes to a close, Port Tampa Bay was once again recognized by the National Weather Service as a StormReady® organization, a voluntary designation requiring organizations to maintain continuous warning capabilities, emergency operations readiness, and formal hazardous weather planning.
As the first port in the nation to earn this distinction in 2025, this recertification emphasizes Port Tampa Bay’s strong emergency preparedness, continuous monitoring capabilities, and commitment to safeguarding lives, infrastructure, and critical supply chains during severe weather events.
For more information about the StormReady program, visit https://www.weather.gov/stormready/.
Cruise Terminal Upgrades: Passenger Bridge Testing
Port Tampa Bay’s Nickolas Depin, P.E. and Ram Kancharla, MBA, PPM traveled to Pune, India, to conduct a three-day Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) of newly manufactured passenger boarding bridges by FMT Sweden AB, scheduled to arrive in March 2026 for Cruise Terminals 2 and 6.
The testing included detailed measurements, visual inspections, and operational evaluations to ensure the bridges meet design specifications prior to shipment, with a Site Acceptance Test (SAT) planned following installation in Tampa.
By confirming quality and performance in advance, this work helps minimize installation risks, improves long-term reliability, enhances the passenger experience, and supports Port Tampa Bay’s continued investment in safe, efficient, and competitive cruise infrastructure.
16 Years of Partnership with Tampa Cooperative Safety and Security Initiative (TCSSI)
Port Tampa Bay recently hosted its annual Tampa Cooperative Safety and Security Initiative (TCSSI) barbecue and holiday gathering, marking 16 years of collaboration across the maritime community.
Under the leadership of President & CEO Paul Anderson, TCSSI brings together companies, agencies, and partners around shared priorities of safety, security, and operational readiness — strengthening both day-to-day operations and coordinated emergency response.
We thank all TCSSI participants and partners for their continued commitment to keeping Port Tampa Bay resilient.
Upcoming Event: 2026 Anchor Ball
Port Tampa Bay is looking ahead to the 2026 Anchor Ball, our annual fundraising gala supporting maritime workforce development and seafarer services.
Proceeds from the Anchor Ball benefit Tampa Port Ministries Seafarers Center and the Tampa Bay Maritime Scholarship Foundation, helping support the people and pathways that sustain our maritime industry.
Purchase tickets and learn more:
https://www.porttb.com/about-the-port/port-events/anchor-ball/
January Port Tampa Bay Board Meeting
The next regular business meeting of the Tampa Port Authority, d/b/a Port Tampa Bay, Board of Commissioners is scheduled for:
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Port Tampa Bay Board Room
1101 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602
The January agenda will be published one week prior to the meeting date. Public comment is welcome for anyone who signs in prior to the meeting. Speakers will be called in sign-up order and allotted up to three (3) minutes.
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Holiday Break Notice
As we close out the year, Port Tampa Bay will be taking a brief pause from our weekly web updates to allow our team and partners time to celebrate the holidays with friends and family. We extend our sincere thanks to our tenants, customers, partners, and community for a strong and productive year. We wish you and your loved ones a safe, restful, and joyful holiday season.
Weekly web updates will resume on Friday, January 9, 2026. We look forward to reconnecting in the new year and continuing to share progress, partnerships, and milestones from across Port Tampa Bay.
